She's Not Our Daughter! Ch 111

How to Deal with a Villain (1)

Sierra gave up on warning the excited Hanael and Cassius, who willingly matched the child's playful mood. Inhaling deeply, she prepared herself.

At least I must stay alert.

Sierra walked quietly on tiptoe. To avoid making footstep sounds on the marble floor, she wore light sandals with rubber soles. If that failed, she intended to fling the sandals off completely.

Though the others lacked tension, Sierra held her breath automatically, knowing every step needed absolute precision. Even if madness consumed the Crown Prince, the guards defending the palace possessed sharp senses.

Furthermore, while the invisibility potion concealed their bodies, it couldn't erase physical mass. If someone grew suspicious and swung a sword wildly, death would follow instantly.

With Hanael present, Sierra couldn't afford any carelessness. Discovery meant being branded as traitors, ending everything regardless of whether she rescued her sister.

Yet that end threatened to arrive faster than expected. They intended to descend the stairs following Hanael's directions. Before the staircase leading from the first floor of the palace to the underground dungeon, two soldiers stood guard. One dozed, while the other, likely a recruit, stood erect and watched the front attentively.

Fortunately, thanks to the Crown Prince's extravagant habits, the staircase was wide. An invisible person could easily slip between the two guards.

There is enough space for one person to fit through.

To prepare for any contingency, Cassius stepped forward first. He walked with elegant grace, without tiptoeing like Sierra, passing between the guards casually.

Now it was her turn, and Hanael's. Sierra tiptoed, attempting to slip past as she had done before. However, as she passed the two guards......

[Guard] "What is that?"

The recruit muttered to himself.

Sierra gasped softly, looking in his direction. Fortunately, the guard lacked any real tension.

[Guard] "Just the wind, perhaps......"

As his brief mutter reached her ears, Sierra breathed a sigh of relief.

He doesn't fully suspect anything yet.

Naturally, the guards believed no enemy, regardless of bravery, would dare infiltrate the imperial palace. Thus, they remained relaxed. Instead, the palace staff feared the Crown Prince's madness above all else.

Looking down the stairs, the recruit muttered once more.

[Guard] "His Imperial Highness has not come up yet...... so it should be fine."

With a relaxed expression, the recruit stretched his arms lazily, thinking nothing of it.

Reassured, Sierra took a step forward. Yet perhaps she relaxed too quickly. Overlooking how slippery the marble stairs were, she lost her footing.

Screeech—Clack.

She quickly grabbed the handrail, narrowly avoiding a fall. Though she stayed upright......

[Guard] "......Huh?"

The sudden noise inevitably caused the guard to look down the stairs. Thanks to the invisibility magic, the guard couldn't see Sierra with the naked eye. She held her breath and stood up quickly.

Sierra felt Hanael, who sat perched on her shoulders, stiffen in tension. Invisibility magic merely concealed the body from sight; it didn't erase physical presence. If a guard approached, he would touch her body.

Less than a meter separated them. It was highly suspicious.

The guard began descending the stairs with a doubtful look. Sierra instinctively turned her gaze toward Cassius. With a serene face, he mouthed the words silently to her.

Come down. I will handle this.

Seeing his message, Sierra ran down rapidly, paying no mind to the noise.

Tap, tap-tap.

The footfalls clearly suggested an unseen presence. The guard stared down into the dark dungeon where Sierra had fled, his expression full of doubt.

[Guard] "What was that, a bug......? But still...…"

Anyone would find it suspicious. Only two guards stood at the post, yet a distinct movement seemed to travel down the stairs. Even an ordinary person would question it.

Sierra scanned her surroundings. They had reached the basement. Unlike the first floor and the staircase, a pitch-black corridor stretched endlessly before them.

Hesitantly, the guard took a step down.

Creeeak.

Cassius deliberately created a noise as he moved, stepping in front of Sierra and heading toward the guard. Watching him move away, Sierra tried to grasp his intention.

Caught by the distraction, the guard flinched despite seeing nothing. A strange shimmering haze hovered in the empty air, unsettling his senses. A knight's intuition warned that something unusual lurked there. As the guard narrowed his brows and took another step forward, the sleeping soldier woke up with a start.

[Guard] "......Ah, Sir Malk."

The guard, who had been sleeping, addressed as Sir Malk, rubbed his eyes and asked in confusion.

[Malk] "Hey, what is wrong?"

[Recruit] "Ah, I thought something moved in the basement."

[Malk] "Probably just a bug."

[Recruit] "Still, I will briefly patrol the basement stairs just in case. There might be magic involved."

[Malk] "Yeah, yeah, don't overdo it. I'm going back to sleep."

Sierra glanced at Cassius. In her view, he appeared entirely calm and detached. She leaned quietly against the wall, holding her breath. Hanael did the same, setting aside her childish demeanor to hold her breath like an adult.

[Malk] "Why, is something wrong?"

[Recruit] "S-Something is......"

The recruit stammered, his eyes widening in shock. Naturally, an unseen hand suddenly gripped his throat out of the darkness.

Cassius squeezed the neck of the knight who spotted him. He maintained such an elegant composure that it felt as if nothing had happened. The palace knight couldn't even utter a groan or gasp for air, as Cassius struck a pressure point in a single motion.

Realizing the recruit had lost consciousness completely, he spoke quietly in the guard's voice.

[Cassius] "......There are no issues."

A low voice echoed. Sir Malk tilted his head in confusion. While the voice differed from what he knew, the basement was prone to heavy echoes anyway.

What could go wrong?

Sir Malk was naturally easygoing and firmly believed the Crown Prince's palace would never suffer a direct attack. Moreover, a glance below revealed no obvious trouble. Thus, yawning widely, he brushed it off. Unbeknownst to him, this decision saved his life.

[Malk] "Then why don't you come back up?"

[Cassius] "I will patrol a bit further."

Sir Malk picked his ear as he spoke.

[Malk] "Ugh, that damn basement. The echo is so loud I can barely hear you. Anyway, don't take too long. It is time for my outdoor patrol, I will take a quick loop. Check everything while I am gone, and don't go down too deep. It's dangerous."

Sir Malk walked away as if he had been waiting for the opportunity.

Sierra and Cassius looked at each other. Hanael started to let out a sigh, but quickly brought a hand to her mouth.

At last, they reached the basement where the prince was located. Every step felt like walking through a maze. Sierra blinked and looked around, but saw only endless corridors.

There are no doors at all.

Walking without knowing where to go or how long it would take brought anxiety.

Sierra walked for a long time. After walking for about ten minutes down the empty, dark corridor, just as her legs began to ache, something appeared before them. It was none other than......

[Creature] "Ooooogh."

A bizarre, monstrous creature.

Sierra wore a disgusted expression, staring at the creature as it grumbled menacingly. Stepping forward, Cassius whispered.

[Cassius] "Seeing a guard creature here means the Crown Prince is nearby."

Swallowing the question, Can that creature really be called a guard?, she answered with a sigh.

[Sierra] "......Yes."

A terrible stench hit her nose as the creature appeared. Black, tar-like sludge covered its massive, squishy body, making it look as though a mere touch would leave dark dust on skin.

This can't be good for raising a child.

Her expression twisted in disgust.

Should I cover Hanael's eyes right now?

Just then, Hanael whispered.

[Hanael] "I want to defeat it!"

[Sierra] "No."

Sierra tried to stop her strictly, but Hanael shrugged. The gesture resembled Cassius so much that she blinked for a moment.

Hanael placed a finger to her lips and blew a sharp whistle.

[Sierra] "Hanael! Be quiet......"

[Hanael] "Look at that!"

She merely blew a single whistle, yet the creature collapsed onto the floor instantly. It even melted into a gooey puddle like slime under the summer heat!

Since the creature was also a monster summoned by the Crown Prince, it was not unusual for Hanael, who commanded monsters, to handle it, but......

It is quite amazing. To think my child is the strongest entity in this world.

Sierra glanced at Hanael in surprise. The child raised her arms triumphantly into the air in a victory pose.

Acting unconcerned, Sierra gave her a big thumbs-up. Whether Hanael noticed it or not, it was a gesture acknowledging that her sweet child looked rather impressive.

Fortunately, Hanael spotted Sierra's thumbs-up and giggled softly.

The three walked for a long time after dealing with the bizarre creature. Fortunately, there were no forks in the path; only a single narrow passage stretched forward.

Occasional torches lined the underground walls, but darkness prevailed. The dim light did little to aid their steps.

Her legs began to ache. Sierra continued walking while inwardly cursing the petty Crown Prince when she suddenly halted.

[Sierra] "......Wait."

The moment she spoke, a chilling draft made the hair on her neck stand on end. Cassius stopped and looked at her.

[Sierra] "Does something feel strange? It feels like we are walking in circles."

[Cassius] "Correct."

His voice sounded so calm, as if he had everything planned, easing her tension. He met her gaze before turning to Hanael.

[Cassius] "......I am waiting for Hanael to locate the space where the Crown Prince is hidden. By my estimate, it is near here."

The trust shining in his eyes brought a warm feeling to her heart. Sierra brewed potions to assist the infiltration, Cassius meticulously designed the strategy, and Hanael pinpointed the Crown Prince's hidden room.

Sierra had thought of them as a disorganized rabble of a family, but they made a remarkable team.

She squeezed Hanael's hand, as if passing along her strength. As if responding, Hanael whispered carefully.

[Hanael] "I hear a voice over there!"

[Cassius] "Over there?"

He stared into Hanael's green eyes. Sierra hurriedly urged her on, desperate to leave this corridor that felt ready to sprout a handful of ghosts.

[Sierra] "Where, where is it? Where do you hear it?"

Hanael smiled brightly and tapped on the corridor wall beside them.

[Hanael] "Right here!"

Hearing her words, Sierra tilted her head. Yet the spot Hanael pointed to showed only a solid wall, not a door......?

[Sierra] "......Huh? This is a wall."

Sierra whispered. Cassius also wore a thoughtful expression.

Furthermore...…

A chilling sensation gradually crept down from the top of her head. The invisibility potion's effect was wearing off.

Sierra swallowed hard and rummaged through her pockets, finding three extra potion bottles.

She hastily swallowed her potion and poured another into Hanael's mouth. Handing the last bottle to Cassius, she watched him drink it.

Now, exactly thirty minutes remained for the potion's effect. Could they open the door hidden in this corridor and rescue her sister within those thirty minutes?

Right then, he whispered.

[Cassius] "It is not a wall; it is a door. We can open it."

[Sierra] "......Really?"

[Cassius] "Yes. We will open the door and save her."

As if he had read her mind completely.

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